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Rhode Island Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 25,118 Active 5 In committee 20,549 Passed 5,917 Signed 4,510 Failed 6,972

Bill results

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 5263: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

HB 5263 requires firearm owners to store guns securely in locked containers or with safety devices to prevent unauthorized access, primarily affecting individuals storing firearms on their premises. It imposes tiered penalties: civil fines up to $250 for first offenses, increasing to potential jail time for repeat violations, with stricter criminal charges if a child or prohibited person accesses the firearm and causes harm. The bill explicitly states it does not reduce gun rights or infringe on privacy without a warrant. The legislation amends the bill's title to reference "Dillon's Law" (a term related to municipal authority), but does not alter the underlying storage requirements. It applies to all firearm owners in the jurisdiction, with specific provisions for cases involving children or prohibited persons.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates secure firearm storage to prevent unauthorized access, reducing gun-related accidents and crimes. Aligns with criminal justice reform by promoting public safety and prevention.95% confidence
Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith (D) Justine Caldwell (D) Deb Fellela (D) Katie Kazarian (D) Mary Messier (D)
passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 5838: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

HB 5838 ensures schools provide appropriate support for English language learners (ELLs) and English as a second language (ESL) students during individualized education plan (IEP) processes. It requires evaluations to be conducted in a student’s primary language, mandates IEP teams to include experts in second-language acquisition, and prohibits school districts from pressuring families to decline language services. The bill also requires schools to use trained bilingual interpreters for parent communication and ensures IEPs address both language learning and disability needs. These changes directly affect ELL/ESL students, their families, and school districts in Rhode Island.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates language-appropriate IEP evaluations, requires second-language experts, and prohibits pressure to decline services, directly expanding educational access for ELL students with disabilities.95% confidence
Karen Alzate (D) Terri Cortvriend (D) Scott Slater (D) Mary Ann Shallcross-Smith (D) Jennifer Boylan (D)
passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 5731: AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS' LICENSES

HB 5731 allows Rhode Island driver education schools to offer required driver training courses both in-person and through instructor-led virtual formats for a two-year trial period (October 2025-October 2027). This applies to applicants under 18 seeking their first license, while maintaining existing curriculum standards (including 33 hours of instruction covering Rhode Island traffic laws and alcohol/drug education). The state board of education must analyze virtual vs. in-person training effectiveness and report findings to lawmakers by December 2027. Exemptions apply to applicants over 18 or those with a valid out-of-state license held for at least one year.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows virtual driver education delivery, expanding access to required curriculum while maintaining standards, directly supporting educational access for K-12 students.85% confidence
Karen Alzate (D) Terri Cortvriend (D) Lauren Carson (D) Justine Caldwell (D) Grace Diaz (D)
passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 6087: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTHCARE WORKER PLATFORM ACT

Creates the healthcare worker platform act that requires platforms offering healthcare shifts to register with the Rhode Island department of health by June 1, 2026, while exempting them from being classified as nursing service agencies.
Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts healthcare platforms from nursing agency classification, reducing regulatory oversight and potential worker protections.85% confidence
Justine Caldwell (D) Robert Craven (D) Evan Shanley (D)
passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SR 1144: SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING AND THANKING KAREN MCGRATH FOR THIRTY-NINE YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CRANSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

This Senate Resolution (SR 1144) honors Karen McGrath, a Cranston Public Library branch librarian retiring after 39 years of service, specifically recognizing her creation of the 29-year Books @ Home program that delivers library materials to homebound residents. The resolution, passed by the Rhode Island Senate on June 10, 2025, formally thanks her for her dedication and cites her national recognition from the American Library Association. It does not create new policy or affect any laws, as it is a ceremonial tribute to her career.
Lammis Vargas (D) Hanna Gallo (D) Todd Patalano (D)
passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 653: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE ONWARD WE LEARN SCHOLARSHIP ACT

Requires any remaining funds in the enacted budget from the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship program or the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship program to be reimbursed to the onward we learn for any scholarships paid on behalf of Rhode Island College students.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects unused scholarship funds to maintain student access to higher education programs, ensuring continued funding for Rhode Island College students.95% confidence
Matt LaMountain (D) David Tikoian (D) Lou DiPalma (D) Hanna Gallo (D) Val Lawson (D)
passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 1042: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- RHODE ISLAND PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP

Makes students in workforce-ready certificate programs at the Community College of Rhode Island eligible to receive the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access for workforce certificate students at CCRI, increasing higher education funding and access through Rhode Island Promise program expansion.95% confidence
Jonathon Acosta (D) Sam Zurier (D) Lou DiPalma (D) Hanna Gallo (D) Victoria Gu (D)
passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 336: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOOL PUPILS BEYOND CITY AND TOWN LIMITS

Allows an individual school district that can utilize its own buses or vendors at a lower cost than the statewide system, to obtain reimbursement for these costs from state funds.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows school districts to receive state reimbursement for transportation costs, providing direct funding support for educational operations and accessibility.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill provides state funding for school bus transportation, a transportation service, aligning with 'funds transportation projects' indicator.90% confidence
Jonathon Acosta (D) Sam Zurier (D) Elaine Morgan (R) Hanna Gallo (D) Bridget Valverde (D)
passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 10, 2025

HR 6401: HOUSE RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING ROBERT BILLINGTON ON HIS RETIREMENT AT THE END OF JUNE, 2025, AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY TOURISM COUNCIL AFTER FORTY YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

This is a ceremonial resolution (HR 6401) passed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives. It formally congratulates Robert Billington on retiring as Director of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council after 40 years of service, recognizing his founding role in 1985 and contributions to tourism, sustainability initiatives, and local events like the Polar Express train ride. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses legislative appreciation and directs the Secretary of State to send Billington a certified copy. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any stakeholders beyond this symbolic acknowledgment.
Joe Shekarchi (D) Mike Chippendale (R) Stephen Casey (D) Chris Paplauskas (R) Bob Phillips (D)
passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 246: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE

Raises the minimum fee per barrel of petroleum products or crude oil from five cents ($0.05) to ten cents ($0.10) per barrel as part of the uniform oil spill response and prevention fee.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRaises oil spill prevention fees, directly funding environmental protection related to climate and pollution control as stated in bill title and summary.95% confidence
Bob Britto (D) Jonathon Acosta (D) Sam Zurier (D) Lammis Vargas (D) Lou DiPalma (D)
Showing 757 to 768 of 5,917 bills
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